Monday, 29 December 2014

When Maia D'Apliése and her five
sisters gather at their fabulous home, Atlantis, situated on the shores of Lake
Geneva, they mourn the loss of their beloved father, the enigmatic billionaire,
Pa Salt. The six girls all adopted by Pa Salt as babies have no idea where
they originally came from, but their final gift from their father is a set of tantalising
clues, which if they feel able to pursue, will lead them to the place where
they came from and to their true heritage.

Maia, the eldest of the sisters,
follows her clues to a crumbling mansion in Rio de Janeiro, where her story
combines with that of Izabela Bonifacio, a young socialite, whose story, some eighty
years before, entwines with that of Heitor da Silva Costa, the architect
responsible for the construction of the statue of Christ the Redeemer and of an
ambitious young sculptor, called Laurent Brouilly.

Maia’s story is beautifully intertwined
with memories of the past and as the layers of the story are peeled away the
connection between Maia and Izabela is revealed in a story which is rich in wonderful
storytelling and faultless in the way both the past and present are allowed to
evolve at their own pace. The Belle Epoque of Rio, in 1927 is gloriously
described, from the fashions, to the constraints placed upon young women in
society, all combine to give a heady description of an era lost forever.

When I first saw the size of the
book, coming in at over 620 pages, I must admit to feeling concerned and more than a little daunted as committing to a seven book series is a real undertaking, however, as
the pages flashed by and I became engrossed in Maia and Izabela’s story, I
truly didn't want the story to end. Finishing the first book is a tantalising
snippet of what is to come in the second book and its dramatic cliff hanger, of course, makes me want to read on.

Creating the series based on the
legends of the Seven Sisters of the Pleiades star constellation is inspired and
without doubt, Lucinda Riley combines the best of mythology with wonderful
storytelling. Maia’s story gets the series off to a fantastic start and I am
sure that the other sisters’ stories will be equally as enthralling.

Saturday, 27 December 2014

Inspector Ian Frey is sent from
London to investigate, what could potentially be an imitator Ripper murder. Under
the cover of a fake department specialising in the occult, Frey arrives in Edinburgh,
ostensibly to meet up with his superior officer, Detective‘Nine-Nails’ McGray, who heads
up a department dealing with, in Frey’s eyes, supernatural nonsense. From the
outset, the derisive banter between Frey and McGray is set to hamper the criminal investigation
as neither character has much time for the other. And yet, the series of vile murders
which seem to be targeting the musicians of the Conservatoire of Music will
test both men’s investigative skills to limit of patience.

As with any new series there is
an element of getting to know the major characters, their petty idiosyncrasies
and minor peculiarities are explained with just enough detail to sharpen the appetite,
and as the story deepens, we start to learn more about Frey and McGray;
discovering what makes them act and react the way they do, forms an exciting
part of the story.

Combining the best of crime noir
with well researched and atmospheric historical fiction, this debut novel captures
the very essence of ill fated fortune. The story abounds with gothic gloom and brings
the workings of Victorian Edinburgh to life in decadent detail. Both the place and
its people leap off the page with great energy and
vigour, which helps to sustain, what is in effect, a very cleverly contrived
murder mystery.

I really enjoyed discovering the
darker side of Victorian Edinburgh in the company of Frey and McGray, and hope to
be able to make their acquaintance again as the series continues.

I was four years old and my present from Santa
was a yellow scooter. I remember uncovering it on Christmas morning (my parents
had draped it with one of the nineteen tablecloths they received as wedding
presents) and just standing there gobsmacked – a scooter! Oddly, my mother was
actually in hospital over Christmas that year, but I have no recollection of
that at all.

Do you have any special
Christmas Traditions?

I live in Switzerland so Christmas is a
mixture of British and Swiss traditions. The Christmas trees here don’t go up
till the 24th, and that’s when the Christ-child brings the presents,
too, in the evening while the family are eating in another room. After the meal
everyone congregates in the living room and presents are opened and played
with. This has the advantage that the children aren’t up at 4 a.m. on the 25th…

What’s your favourite
festive carol or song?

‘White Christmas’ does it for me every time!

Do you have a
favourite festive film?

It’s not exactly festive but it’s on most
years and I usually watch it – The Sound of Music.
And of course The Snowman with its beautiful theme song.

What’s your favourite
festive read?

I don’t really have one. Mary Higgins Clark’s
Silent Night is a good Christmas read, but I don’t have anything I read
traditionally over the holiday. Usually I’m only too glad to have a little
extra time to catch up on my to-be-read list!

Are you organised or
do you leave everything until the last minute?

I used to be extremely organised out of sheer
necessity – Christmas presents to the UK from Switzerland have to be in
the post at the beginning of December for guaranteed arrival by the 24th.Nowadays we give to charity so that’s easier. Food shopping tends to be a
bit last-minute in our house. I’ve stood in many a long queue at the
supermarket on Christmas Eve!

Christmas Tree – real or artificial?

When the kids were small we always had a real
one. Now we have an artificial one, but it’s the ornaments that are important.
We have so many the boys made themselves over the years. The tiny flowerpot
bell, the glue-gun stars, and of course the toilet paper angel. She always has
pride of place!

Tinsel or Glitter?

In a word – both!

Gingerbread Latte or
Orange spiced Hot Chocolate?

I’ve never tried either but Gingerbread Latte
sounds a wee bit OTT so I’ll go for Orange spiced hot choc. You can’t go wrong
with chocolate and orange…

Mince Pie or Yule
Log?

I love mince pies but unless one of my expat
friends brings mincemeat we don’t get them in Switzerland. I remember my mother
making them, oh, the aroma when they came out of the oven!

Christmas Dinner –
Traditional Turkey or something Different?

In Switzerland the tradition is flexible –
some families go for baked ham and potatoes, some have cheese or (more usually,
at Christmas) meat fondue, or Raclette. This is a dish where you have a
table-grill and everyone has a little pan of cheese to melt, and the result is
eaten with potatoes, gherkins and pickles onions, olives etc.

Christmas Tipple – Bucks
Fizz/Mulled Wine or something stronger?

Nothing can beat The Christmas Sherry in our
house. Longstanding family tradition, a bottle of sherry over Christmas…

A fun game of after
dinner charades or more chocolates and the television?

We have a traditional Swiss Christmas dinner
on the evening of the 24th, after which the family open their
presents, which generally takes care of the whole evening. The 25th
is a day to visit more family and friends, and generally relax, eat the
leftovers and do your own thing. Which could include charades and chocolates and the television!

Monday, 22 December 2014

My earliest memories seem to be dominated by that of waking
up really early, convinced it’s time to get up and being told to go back to
sleep because it’s still only two o’clock in the morning!

Do you have any special Christmas Traditions?

Delia’s Christmas Chutney (from her Christmas book) is
always made in November as it needs a month to mature and is a must-have with
cheese or cold meat over Christmas.

On Christmas Eve a stocking for everyone hangs on the beam
above the fireplace and we open these first thing on Christmas morning while
still in our jim-jams. Inside are a couple of small gifts, some tasty treats
(for later) and a magazine or comic. (Father Christmas’s plan was that it gave
the children something to keep them amused before the main present opening
event after breakfast - and while the grown-ups got dressed and took their turn
in the bathroom which, from what I remember as a child, always took forever!).

What’s your favourite festive carol or song?

Years ago we bought a CD called Spirituality which is a
collection of beautiful choral singing. We only tend to play it at Christmas
because it evokes just the right atmosphere. Our youngest always referred to it
as the Monk Music! Our old cat used to hate it, especially the track
called Miserere which has some spectacularly high notes.

Do you have a favourite festive film?

We always enjoy watching The Snowman, though I’ve a soft
spot for the film (A Christmas Story) about a young boy who wants a
special gun for Christmas (a Red Rider BB) but everyone else (his mother,
teacher and even Santa Claus) isn’t very keen on the idea. It’s very funny in a
Bill Bryson-esque sort of a way. Otherwise, I do love a good snowy Victorian/Dickensian
drama.

What’s your favourite festive read?

As a child, my mum would read me and my sister
The Christmas Book by Enid Blyton in the weeks leading up to Christmas. By the
time we reached the chapter about Father Christmas coming down the chimney on
Christmas Eve, and the youngest child Ann hiding behind the sofa to give
him a present of a jar of sweets, we would be beside ourselves with excitement
(which probably accounts for how badly we slept on Christmas Eve!).

Are you organised or do you leave everything until the
last minute?

As in my writing, I’m a planner. Lists are crucial!

Christmas Tree – real or artificial?

Definitely real! I love the smell. And with the new
varieties, the needle drop is not such a problem. We’re lucky enough to have a
local grower a few miles away where we can go and choose a tree in the field.

Tinsel or Glitter?

Tinsel, as long as it’s not too gaudy, and I have fond
memories of glitter which makes me think of making sticky pictures and cards
with my class when I used to be a primary school teacher. It would enhance even
the most primitive of pictures!

Cointreau on ice. I only buy Cointreau at Christmas so it’s
a nice treat. And I might try it in a Hot Chocolate this year, too (see
above!).

Christmas Dinner – Traditional Turkey or something
Different?

We don’t often have turkey, though it depends how many
people I’m catering for. Duck or guinea-fowl are favourites.

A fun game of after dinner charades or more chocolates
and the television?

If there’s a crowd of us, games are always good and we’ll
not bother with the TV. Otherwise, if we’re having a quiet Christmas, we’ll
light the fire and settle down for a cosy read (there’ll invariably be books
amongst the presents) or if there’s something extra special on the television
later in the evening we’ll watch that.

Esme Quentin’s arrival on the
North Devon coast is spoiled by the ghastly discovery of a fatally injured
woman lying on the beach near Warren Cliff. What should be a pleasant interlude
for Esme, helping out an old friend, soon becomes a convoluted and complex
quest to find out more about the identity of the ill-fated woman. Even though
the local police dismiss the woman’s death as an unfortunate accident, Esme is
convinced that there is more to this mysterious accident and her intuitive form
of investigation soon uncovers a tangled web of secrets and lies spanning multi
generations.

This well written murder mystery,
not only concentrates on the here and now, but also takes the reader on a
journey of discovery into the tainted past of Britain’s brutal transportation
system, when people were transported to the penal colony of Australia for little
more than stealing a loaf of bread. The mystery at the heart of the novel takes
some uncovering, but Esme does so with her usual confidence and tenacity. As always
the fine writing of the author and the attention she pays to the smallest of details
really helps to bring the story alive in the imagination. I was totally involved
in Esme’s quest to uncover the truth and the many twists and turns in the plot really
focus the novel so that it becomes an investigative challenge to piece together
all the strands of the mystery.

Having been introduced to Esme Quentin
for the first time in Blood Tied, it was a real pleasure to meet up with her
again in another well written murder/mystery story. It’s rather like meeting up
with an old friend whose life is rather more exciting than your own and in
whose company you can sit back, relax, grab a cup of your favourite tea and just
let the mystery unfold.

Saturday, 20 December 2014

Staying at my grandparents' house for Christmas, with my younger sister and parents. Their house was in a small circular 'Place' that had a grassy area with trees in the middle. This year we had snow - sooo exciting for us kids! - and I remember looking out the bedroom window and watching for Santa to land in the snow outside. It was like looking at a mini forest just feet away and the snow seemed to increase my belief that I would see Santa. But, sadly, I didn't!

Do you have any special Christmas Traditions?

Not now, although my grandparents did. Like the coins hidden in the Christmas Pudding which, miraculously, all ended up in the children's portions.

What’s your favourite festive carol or song?

Silent Night

Do you have a favourite festive film?

Love is All Around

What’s your favourite festive read ?

A Christmas Carol - of course!

Are you organised or do you leave everything until the last minute ?

Oh dear, I have to admit that these days I'm a last-minute type of person. Didn't used to be, but find it harder these days to plan ahead. Story of my life

Christmas Tree – real or artificial?

Real - I hate the dropping needles but love the smell!

Tinsel or Glitter?

Neither

Gingerbread Latte or Orange spiced Hot Chocolate?

You know, I've not tried either! Does this mean I haven't lived?! Both sound yummy so if anyone would like to make me one I'd be happy to try

Mince Pie or Yule Log?

Probably mince pie served with brandy cream

Christmas Dinner – Traditional Turkey or something Different?

Turkey every time

Christmas Tipple – Bucks Fizz/Mulled Wine or something stronger?

Bucks Fizz, please. Cheers!

A fun game of after dinner charades or more chocolates and the television?

We're not a 'charades' kind of family so it's likely to be messing about with the children's toys or watching television.

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